The Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers, a nonprofit group organized around local mass transit services, released tips today for getting around the city during the SEPTA strike:

If you usually ride the City Transit Division:

1. Know where your most convenient RRD station is and get a schedule.

2. If you need to drive to get to that station, figure out your best parking alternatives. Remember that all park/ride lots will fill up sooner, so have an alternate plan ready.

3. If you work for one of the universities or another big employer, talk to our transportation or human resources manager and see whether your employer will be running special buses in the event of a strike.

4. Buy your November transit pass as usual. Buy early: lines at SEPTA sales outlets will be long this week as weekly and monthly pass users will be buying their passes at the same time.

5. Buy a couple of round trip tickets for the proper zone of your rail station. If there’s a strike, lines to purchase train tickets will be long, and if there isn’t a strike, you can use or redeem the tickets later. Tickets can be redeemed up to 180 days from the purchase date.

6. Make sure your supervisor at work knows you are one of the ones who will be affected by a transit strike. If you can arrange it, try making plans for a telecommute the first day or two of a strike, when the delays and disruption will be at their worst.

7. If you’re not traveling to work or other time-sensitive appointments, consider changing your travel plans and going during off-peak hours. It might be a nice time to stay late in Center City and enjoy a restaurant meal or do some shopping instead of waiting in line for the train.

8. Consider other transportation alternatives like carpooling or bicycling, both to get to work and to get around your community.

9. See our RRD travel advisory for more information on the trains.

If you usually ride the Suburban Transit Division

1. Check with SEPTA for route detours and schedule changes in case of a City Transit strike. Market-Frankford connections will not be available, so most service will be designed to connect people with Regional Rail.

2. Know where your best connections to Center City are. For some riders, your fastest route may involve riding outbound, away from 69th Street, first.

3. Pick up a train schedule and some tickets in advance. Not all stations have ticket offices, and if there isn’t a strike, you can use or redeem the tickets later. Tickets can be redeemed up to 180 days from the purchase date.

4. Remember that the 124 and 125 buses may also shut down in the event of a City Transit strike.

5. Look at the City Transit and Regional Rail tips for more information.

If you usually ride SEPTA Regional Rail:

1. Buy your monthly or weekly pass early (hint: try mornings at the Center City stations). Lines at SEPTA sales offices will be long at the end of this week. If you buy individual or ten-ride tickets, buy a couple of weeks worth in advance of a possible strike so you can avoid the lines. Tickets can be redeemed up to 180 days from the purchase date.

2. If you park and ride, make sure you are prepared for additional traffic at your station. If you regularly get one of the last available spaces, make sure you know where alternative parking places are: they could be at a nearby station, or at some unofficial location like a nearby church or shopping center. If you’re thinking about one of those places, make sure to speak to the people there and secure permission to park.

3. Consider alternate access routes to your station like bicycling or carpooling.

4. If you make a connection to the Market-Frankford Line or other transit routes to get to your destination, be prepared to find alternate transportation. If you work west of 30th Street, you can use the LUCY bus, which is operated under a separate contract and may not be affected by the strike.

5. Be prepared for extra crowding on your train. Carry as little baggage as possible, and use the overhead racks for luggage and other belongings: do not put them on the seat next to yours.

6. Be prepared for delays. Most trains will be late because of the extra passengers they have to carry, or from being behind other late trains. If you need to be in town or back home at a specific time, consider catching the train before your usual train so you’ll have time to spare.

7. Be prepared to line up for access to your train in Center City. Access to the platforms will be limited both for safety purposes and for fare control. Wear comfortable shoes and bring something to read while you wait.

8. Consider switching your boarding station in Center City. 30th Street and Market East will probably be less crowded than Suburban Station. If you want to make sure you get a seat, board Reading-side trains at 30th Street and PRR-side trains at Market East.

9. When leaving Center City, don’t wait for your train’s scheduled time. Head for the station whenever you are ready to leave, and you may find that a preceding train has been delayed and is at the station ready for you.

10. The QuietRide program will not be in effect for the duration of a strike. Please use your best manners when making phone calls, bringing a snack or drink on the train, and everywhere else, and encourage others to do the same. Think of those transit division refugees as our guests, and show them what a nice experience it is traveling by train.